The Center for Functional Medicine was introduced at Cleveland Clinic in October of 2014, and is the first functional medicine practice to exist within an academic medical center in the U.S. The Center was tasked to transform healthcare using an innovative model of care that shifts the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach.
The Center is committed to doing quality, rigorous research that evaluates the impact of the functional medicine model of care on patient outcomes. Current research includes investigations of the model of care and/or targeted interventions for specific chronic conditions.
If you are interested in learning more or collaborating with our research program, please contact: fmresearch@ccf.org.
Help us transform healthcare
If you are interested in supporting healthcare transformation through research, community outreach and education at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, please contact: giving@ccf.org.
Current studies
The Impact of Functional Medicine on Wound Healing From Delayed Autologous Breast Reconstruction - A Feasibility Study
IRB Study Number: 19-1548
Status: Open to Enrollment
Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Institute: Plastic Surgery and Dermatology and Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
Description: This feasibility study aims to determine whether the functional medicine approach, delivered as an adjunct to standard of care, is feasible, safe, clinically beneficial and cost-effective for patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction.
Assessment of Diabetes Control, Cost of Care, and Quality of Life Utilizing a Functional Medicine Approach in Addition to Usual Care vs. Usual Care Alone
IRB Study Number: 16-1339
Status: Closed to Enrollment
Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Institute: Endocrinology & Metabolism and Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
Description: This study aims to determine whether the functional medicine approach to the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetics enhances usual care delivered by an endocrinologist with respect to diabetes control, insulin use and cardiovascular risk factors.
Center for Functional Medicine Patient Registry
IRB Study Number: 17-999
Status: Closed
Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Institute: Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
Description: This registry houses biometrics, laboratory results, and patient-reported outcome measures for patients seen in one-on-one and shared medical settings within the Center for Functional Medicine.
Evaluating the Effects of a Functional Medicine Shared Medical Appointment Setting on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures
IRB Study Number: 19-343
Status: Closed
Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Institute: Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
Description: This study aims to evaluate the longitudinal effect of the Center for Functional Medicine’s Functioning For Life® Shared Medical Appointment programs versus one-on-one appointments on health outcomes in patients with similar chronic conditions.
Published Manuscript: Patient outcomes and costs associated with functional medicine-based care in a shared versus individual setting for patients with chronic conditions: a retrospective cohort study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33849860/
Evaluating Diabetes Control, Cost of Care, and Quality of Life Utilizing a Functional Medicine Approach
IRB Study Number: 19-720
Status: Closed to Enrollment
Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Institute: Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
Description: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the functional medicine model of care on the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetics as it relates to diabetes control, insulin use and cardiovascular risk factors.
Feasibility of a Functioning For Life® Shared Medical Appointment in the Community Setting
IRB Study Number: 19-1065
Status: Closed to Enrollment
Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Institute: Cleveland Clinic Community Care (Center for Functional Medicine)
Description: This study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a shared medical appointment in a community setting to support residents with preventable chronic conditions.
Published Manuscript: A nutrition and lifestyle-focused shared medical appointment in a resource-challenged community setting: a mixed-methods study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35255887/
